Events
UPCOMING EVENTS
Bridging the Gap
A Conversation with High School and College Faculty about Math and English
On May 15, 2008, the Great Schools Partnership and the University of Maine at Fort Kent will be co-sponsoring a one-day conference on the disconnect between high schools and colleges. Focused on the content areas of English and mathematics, this open-invitation event will bring educators from around Maine to discuss academic expectations, forge new partnerships, and work toward a seamless transition from secondary to postsecondary education.
Duke Albanese, co-executive director of the Great Schools Partnership and former Maine commissioner of education, will deliver the morning's keynote address, and Lynne Miller, professor of educational leadership and director of the Southern Maine Partnership at the University of Southern Maine, will be the plenary speaker. Professor Miller and Craig Kesselheim, senior associate at the Great Schools Partnership, will facilitate two afternoon discussion groups. Any interested educator is encouraged to attend, including high school teachers, college professors and instructors, secondary and postsecondary administrators, curriculum specialists and coordinators, guidance counselors, student-affairs personnel, college-readiness professionals, and adult educators.
EVENT DETAILS
Date: Thursday, May 15, 2008
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.
Location: University of Maine at Fort Kent, Nowland Hall
Conference fee: $10 (includes lunch and materials)
TO REGISTER FOR BRIDGING THE GAP, PLEASE CONTACT LISA ROY (207.834.7513 / roylisa@maine.edu)
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: May 5, 2008
Save-the-Date Announcement (front)
Save-the-Date Announcement (back)
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Celebrating High School Redesign in Maine
A Decade of Progress
Over the past decade, Maine has emerged as a national leader in the effort to strengthen secondary education and ensure equitable outcomes for every student. Since the publication of Promising Futures: A Call to Improve Learning for Maine's Secondary Students in 1997, numerous local and statewide initiatives have used the principles and practices recommended in this seminal report to transform Maine schools. While there have been some setbacks along the way, a remarkable convergence of energy, talent, and good ideas has occurred in numerous schools and communities across the state. Yet public attention recently has been focused on high-profile political issues and budgetary shortfalls, and the inspiring stories of devoted educators and turn-around schools have largely gone untold.
In the effort to bring recognition to these hard-working educators, the Great Schools Partnership will be hosting Celebrating High School Redesign in Maine to both commemorate and memorialize ten years of investment made by school leaders and teachers to improve learning opportunities and educational outcomes for Maine students. Throughout the day, talented educators from every corner of the state will showcase examples of innovation and success in our high schools, including strategies for:
In addition, we are pleased to announce that the Maine Coalition for Excellence in Education, Maine's award-winning business roundtable, will be holding their annual retreat to coincide with the conference. As strong supporters of Maine's educators and students, Coalition members will be joining presentations, learning about the high-quality work underway in our schools, and sharing their own valuable insights. We hope that you will be able to attend!
EVENT DETAILS
DATE: June 26, 2008
LOCATION: Holiday Inn by the Bay, Portland
TIME: 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
COST: Free
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: June 6, 2008
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER ONLINE
If you have any questions about Celebrating High School Redesign in Maine, please contact Darlene Hart (207.773.0505 / dhart@greatschoolspartnership.org)
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Summer 2008 Professional Development Seminars
OPEN TO ALL MIDDLE SCHOOLS AND HIGH SCHOOLS
Lewiston Culinary Arts Center at Lewiston High School, Lewiston, Maine
Tuning Your Team | July 8–9
This seminar is intended for any teaming structure, whether it is a grade-level, content-area, literacy, or leadership team. Whether a team is new or well established, the tools and skills of professional learning groups can be used to strengthen working relationships, enhance productivity, improve school-wide equity, and increase the educational achievement and attainment of all students. Cost $275 per person*
Learning that Sings: Interdisciplinary Curriculum Development | July 10–11
In this seminar, teams of two or more educators will explore a variety of interdisciplinary learning designs and curricular options. Whether you are in the early planning stages or refining an existing program, participants will leave with a backwards-planned framework that will engage students and encourage them to make relevant learning connections across disciplines. Cost $275 per person*
Linking Literacy and Learning | July 10–11
Using tools, strategies, and student data, this seminar is designed to help teachers and literacy leaders identify strengths and challenges in their schools. Working with literacy specialists from around Maine, participants will develop an action plan that will use literacy strategies to build school-wide capacity and increase student achievement within the next school year. Cost $275 per person*
OPEN TO ALL MIDDLE SCHOOLS
Location TBD
Leading Your Team: Professional Learning Group Facilitation | July 21–23**
How can educators effectively use common planning time to address the learning needs of all students? In this seminar, which is designed specifically for the leaders of grade-level and content-area teams in the middle grades, participants will learn responsive group-facilitation skills for enhancing professional learning groups—structuring conversations, dealing with difficult issues, and giving and receiving supportive feedback about instructional practice. Cost $475 per person*
SEMINAR DETAILS
All summer seminars will be differentiated to meet the varying needs of participants.
Seminar times are tentatively set for 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Each team member must register individually.
*All costs include breakfast, lunch, and course materials.
**Two follow-up sessions for Leading Your Team will take place in October 2008 and February 2009—dates TBD.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: June 6, 2008
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER ONLINE
If you have any questions about Summer 2008 Professional Development Seminars, please contact Darlene Hart (207.773.0505 / dhart@greatschoolspartnership.org)
Bridging the Gap
A Conversation with High School and College Faculty about Math and English
On May 15, 2008, the Great Schools Partnership and the University of Maine at Fort Kent will be co-sponsoring a one-day conference on the disconnect between high schools and colleges. Focused on the content areas of English and mathematics, this open-invitation event will bring educators from around Maine to discuss academic expectations, forge new partnerships, and work toward a seamless transition from secondary to postsecondary education.
Duke Albanese, co-executive director of the Great Schools Partnership and former Maine commissioner of education, will deliver the morning's keynote address, and Lynne Miller, professor of educational leadership and director of the Southern Maine Partnership at the University of Southern Maine, will be the plenary speaker. Professor Miller and Craig Kesselheim, senior associate at the Great Schools Partnership, will facilitate two afternoon discussion groups. Any interested educator is encouraged to attend, including high school teachers, college professors and instructors, secondary and postsecondary administrators, curriculum specialists and coordinators, guidance counselors, student-affairs personnel, college-readiness professionals, and adult educators.
EVENT DETAILS
Date: Thursday, May 15, 2008
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.
Location: University of Maine at Fort Kent, Nowland Hall
Conference fee: $10 (includes lunch and materials)
Save-the-Date Announcement (front)
Save-the-Date Announcement (back)
Celebrating High School Redesign in Maine
A Decade of Progress
Over the past decade, Maine has emerged as a national leader in the effort to strengthen secondary education and ensure equitable outcomes for every student. Since the publication of Promising Futures: A Call to Improve Learning for Maine's Secondary Students in 1997, numerous local and statewide initiatives have used the principles and practices recommended in this seminal report to transform Maine schools. While there have been some setbacks along the way, a remarkable convergence of energy, talent, and good ideas has occurred in numerous schools and communities across the state. Yet public attention recently has been focused on high-profile political issues and budgetary shortfalls, and the inspiring stories of devoted educators and turn-around schools have largely gone untold.
In the effort to bring recognition to these hard-working educators, the Great Schools Partnership will be hosting Celebrating High School Redesign in Maine to both commemorate and memorialize ten years of investment made by school leaders and teachers to improve learning opportunities and educational outcomes for Maine students. Throughout the day, talented educators from every corner of the state will showcase examples of innovation and success in our high schools, including strategies for:
- Developing an effective action plan
- Creating a strong leadership team
- Implementing professional learning groups
- Adopting standards-based instruction and grading
- Building a college-ready curriculum
- Strengthening school-wide instructional practices
- Promoting a college-going culture
- Improving messaging and community relations
In addition, we are pleased to announce that the Maine Coalition for Excellence in Education, Maine's award-winning business roundtable, will be holding their annual retreat to coincide with the conference. As strong supporters of Maine's educators and students, Coalition members will be joining presentations, learning about the high-quality work underway in our schools, and sharing their own valuable insights. We hope that you will be able to attend!
EVENT DETAILS
DATE: June 26, 2008
LOCATION: Holiday Inn by the Bay, Portland
TIME: 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
COST: Free
If you have any questions about Celebrating High School Redesign in Maine, please contact Darlene Hart (207.773.0505 / dhart@greatschoolspartnership.org)
Summer 2008 Professional Development Seminars
Lewiston Culinary Arts Center at Lewiston High School, Lewiston, Maine
Tuning Your Team | July 8–9
This seminar is intended for any teaming structure, whether it is a grade-level, content-area, literacy, or leadership team. Whether a team is new or well established, the tools and skills of professional learning groups can be used to strengthen working relationships, enhance productivity, improve school-wide equity, and increase the educational achievement and attainment of all students. Cost $275 per person*
Learning that Sings: Interdisciplinary Curriculum Development | July 10–11
In this seminar, teams of two or more educators will explore a variety of interdisciplinary learning designs and curricular options. Whether you are in the early planning stages or refining an existing program, participants will leave with a backwards-planned framework that will engage students and encourage them to make relevant learning connections across disciplines. Cost $275 per person*
Linking Literacy and Learning | July 10–11
Using tools, strategies, and student data, this seminar is designed to help teachers and literacy leaders identify strengths and challenges in their schools. Working with literacy specialists from around Maine, participants will develop an action plan that will use literacy strategies to build school-wide capacity and increase student achievement within the next school year. Cost $275 per person*
Location TBD
Leading Your Team: Professional Learning Group Facilitation | July 21–23**
How can educators effectively use common planning time to address the learning needs of all students? In this seminar, which is designed specifically for the leaders of grade-level and content-area teams in the middle grades, participants will learn responsive group-facilitation skills for enhancing professional learning groups—structuring conversations, dealing with difficult issues, and giving and receiving supportive feedback about instructional practice. Cost $475 per person*
SEMINAR DETAILS
If you have any questions about Summer 2008 Professional Development Seminars, please contact Darlene Hart (207.773.0505 / dhart@greatschoolspartnership.org)